Choosing a Tessellated Tile Pattern
Choosing a tessellated pattern is easier when you start with the shape of your floor. A narrow pathway, a deep verandah and a small entrance landing each need a different set-out. The aim is to show the design clearly while allowing room for borders, edges and doorways.
Compare patterns as complete floors
Look at both a pattern sample and a completed installation. A small sample shows the repeat; a project photo shows how the design meets walls, steps and corners. Our project gallery can help you compare the two. Use our pattern comparison to view Octagon & Dot, Glasgow and Nottingham alongside completed projects.
These are useful starting points from our tessellated tile collection:
- Octagon & Dot: octagonal tiles separated by smaller square dots create a clear repeating layout. Compare the field and dot colours together.
- Checkerboard: alternating square tiles give a simple two-colour rhythm. A border changes how strongly the floor is framed.
- Basketweave: a woven geometric effect adds detail without requiring a decorative motif on every tile.
- Nottingham: compare the full repeat with the available width of your entrance before choosing its colours and border.
- Glasgow: view completed floors as well as the pattern sample to judge how much detail you want across the area.
- Decorative feature tiles: encaustic designs can add selected points of interest within a coordinated layout.
A preferred pattern is the start of the design. Its scale, colour contrast and border need to be considered together so that the finished floor suits the space.
Which pattern works on a narrow path? Start with the width left inside the borders and compare complete repeats. Octagon & Dot and Checkerboard are useful options to compare for a clear layout; a more detailed pattern may also work if the set-out fits. Ask where the cut pieces will fall before making the final choice.
Our completed-verandah comparison shows how different borders and colours change the appearance of the same Nottingham pattern. Use our colour-selection guide to narrow your palette.
Plan the Layout Before Ordering
Before ordering tiles, work through the parts of the project that affect quantities and set-out.
- Measure the usable floor area
Provide the length and width, plus the positions of doors, columns, steps and any curves. A simple sketch with photographs helps show details that a total square-metre figure can miss.
- Consider the border width
A border reduces the width available for the main pattern. Decide on its width early, particularly on a narrow path or small landing, then check how the repeat fits inside it.
For example: a 1,200mm-wide path with a total border zone of 120mm on each side leaves 960mm for the field. This is a planning calculation; the final layout must also allow for joints, cuts and any extra bands. See our measuring and quote-comparison guide for worked examples.
- Check edges and changes of direction
Plan the visible cuts, corner returns and transitions to steps or adjoining paving. These details can affect the balance of the design and the pieces needed for the order.
- Confirm the full project scope
Confirm whether the quote includes removal, base preparation, the field tiles, borders, feature tiles and installation. Quantities and cutting allowances should be based on the proposed layout.
Federation Tiles Factory offers professional installation across Sydney and Newcastle and tile supply Australia-wide. Send your measurements, photos, suburb and preferred pattern so we can help plan the floor and prepare a project-specific quote.
